STATUTORY RULES.
1916. No. 275.
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REGULATION UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901–1916.
I, THE GOVERNOR GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the undermentioned amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916 to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this third day of November, One thousand nine hundred and sixteen.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
J. A. JENSEN,
for the Postmaster-General.
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Amendment of the Telephone Regulations 1913.
(Statutory Rules 1913, No. 349, as Amended by Statutory Rules 1916, No. 9.)
Sub-regulation (7) of Regulation 70b is repealed and the following sub-regulation is inserted in its stead:—
70b. (7) In special cases where automatic systems not connected with the Department’s systems were prior to the 1st October, 1916, installed by subscribers, and it is desired that these shall connect with the Department’s system, such shall be allowed on the Department taking over at a valuation such of the instruments as are in the opinion of the Department suitable, and then applying the above terms.
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Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.13831.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1916, No. 275, amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916, and was enacted to address the need for updating and clarifying the terms under which automatic telephone systems not connected with the Department's systems could connect to the Department's system. This legislative instrument was made by the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council. The primary objective of this regulation was to ensure that the integration of private automatic telephone systems into the public system was managed effectively and fairly, facilitating the adoption of new technologies while maintaining control over the quality and reliability of the service provided. The regulation specifically altered sub-regulation 70b to allow for the takeover of suitable instruments by the Department at a valuation in special cases, ensuring a smooth transition and continued service for subscribers.
Scope and Application
The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916 pertains to the connection of automatic telephone systems, not initially installed by the Department, to the Department’s system. This amendment applies to subscribers who have installed automatic systems prior to October 1, 1916, and wish to connect these systems to the Department's network. The Department will evaluate the suitability of the instruments involved and take over the valuation of those deemed appropriate. This regulation extends to the entire Commonwealth of Australia, reinforcing the national scope of the Act. It is important to note that the amendment does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, implying that all eligible automatic systems are subject to the regulation. Any further details or extensions of this regulation would be made through subordinate instruments, thereby allowing for additional clarification or modifications as necessary.
Key Provisions
The Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916, as amended, primarily concerns the installation and connection of automatic telephone systems that were not originally connected to the Department’s systems prior to October 1, 1916 (Regulation 70b(7)). It allows for the Department to take over and value certain instruments that are deemed suitable for connection to its system, provided it is desired by the subscriber. This is a significant change from previous regulations which did not accommodate such installations.
Under this regulation, subscribers who had previously installed automatic systems not connected with the Department’s systems have the option to have these systems integrated into the Department’s network. The Department’s involvement includes the valuation of the instruments and the application of specified terms, which presumably are outlined elsewhere in the regulations or in the Post and Telegraph Act itself. This process ensures that the integration is carried out in a manner that is deemed appropriate and fair by the Department.
The obligations imposed by this regulation primarily fall on the Department and the subscribers. The Department must evaluate the suitability of the instruments for connection and apply the prescribed terms upon taking over these instruments. Subscribers, on the other hand, must ensure that their systems meet the criteria for integration and cooperate with the Department’s valuation and terms application processes.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this regulation may result in various consequences. Although the specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the regulation itself, breaches of regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916 can typically lead to civil or criminal penalties. The exact nature and severity of these penalties would depend on the specific breach and may include fines or other legal repercussions as prescribed by the relevant legislation. The Department is empowered to enforce these regulations to maintain the integrity and functionality of the telegraph and postal systems.